WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:00.030 --> 00:00:02.870 Henry: Welcome To Immerse: The Daily Bible Reading Experience. 00:00:02.980 --> 00:00:04.360 Day three hundred and twenty three. 00:00:04.531 --> 00:00:04.981 Job's. 00:00:04.981 --> 00:00:08.731 Three friends refused to reply further to him because he kept 00:00:08.731 --> 00:00:10.141 insisting on his innocence. 00:00:11.281 --> 00:00:16.591 Then Aai Hugh son of Baral, the busi of the clan of Rom, became angry. 00:00:17.311 --> 00:00:21.451 He was angry because Job refused to admit that he had sinned and that 00:00:21.451 --> 00:00:22.921 God was right in punishing him. 00:00:23.791 --> 00:00:25.381 He was also angry with job's. 00:00:25.381 --> 00:00:26.251 Three friends. 00:00:26.611 --> 00:00:31.531 For, they made God appear to be wrong by their inability to answer Job's arguments. 00:00:32.641 --> 00:00:36.241 Eli Hugh had waited for the others to speak to Job because they were 00:00:36.241 --> 00:00:40.591 older than he, but when he saw that they had no further reply. 00:00:40.921 --> 00:00:47.101 He spoke out angrily Eih, son of Barrack held Abusee, said, I am 00:00:47.101 --> 00:00:51.721 young and you are old, so I held back from telling you what I think. 00:00:52.351 --> 00:00:56.761 I thought those who are older should speak for wisdom comes with age, 00:00:57.571 --> 00:01:01.651 but there is a spirit within people, the breath of the Almighty within 00:01:01.651 --> 00:01:03.751 them that makes them intelligent. 00:01:04.441 --> 00:01:06.751 Sometimes the elders are not wise. 00:01:07.321 --> 00:01:10.291 Sometimes the aged do not understand justice. 00:01:11.041 --> 00:01:14.191 So listen to me and let me tell you what I think. 00:01:15.331 --> 00:01:19.471 I have waited all this time listening very carefully to your arguments, 00:01:19.831 --> 00:01:21.661 listening to you grope for words. 00:01:22.366 --> 00:01:27.466 I have listened, but not one of you has refuted job or answered his arguments 00:01:28.216 --> 00:01:30.766 and don't tell me he is too wise for us. 00:01:30.826 --> 00:01:32.356 Only God can convince him. 00:01:33.106 --> 00:01:37.246 If Job had been arguing with me, I would not answer with your kind of logic. 00:01:37.966 --> 00:01:40.516 You sit there baffled with nothing more to say. 00:01:41.266 --> 00:01:42.646 Should I continue to wait? 00:01:42.736 --> 00:01:46.456 Now that you are silent, must I also remain silent? 00:01:47.206 --> 00:01:49.186 No, I will say my peace. 00:01:49.546 --> 00:01:54.046 I will speak my mind for I am full of pent up words and the 00:01:54.046 --> 00:01:55.996 spirit within me urges me on. 00:01:56.806 --> 00:02:01.726 I am like a cask of wine without a vent, like a new wineskin ready to burst. 00:02:02.326 --> 00:02:04.366 I must speak to find relief. 00:02:04.996 --> 00:02:06.616 So let me give my answers. 00:02:07.366 --> 00:02:11.866 I won't play favorites or try to flatter anyone for if I tried flattery, 00:02:12.286 --> 00:02:14.296 my creator would soon destroy me. 00:02:15.796 --> 00:02:17.296 Listen to my words job. 00:02:17.686 --> 00:02:21.976 Pay attention to what I have to say now that I have begun to speak. 00:02:22.006 --> 00:02:22.906 Let me continue. 00:02:23.596 --> 00:02:25.156 I speak with all sincerity. 00:02:25.576 --> 00:02:30.316 I speak the truth for the spirit of God has made me, and the breath 00:02:30.316 --> 00:02:31.966 of the Almighty gives me life. 00:02:32.686 --> 00:02:36.206 Answer me if you can make your case and take your stand. 00:02:36.956 --> 00:02:39.496 Look, you and I both belong to God. 00:02:39.916 --> 00:02:44.206 I too was formed from Clay, so you don't need to be afraid of me. 00:02:44.746 --> 00:02:46.126 I won't come down hard on you. 00:02:47.731 --> 00:02:50.971 You have spoken in my hearing and I have heard your very words. 00:02:51.271 --> 00:02:53.221 You said, I am pure. 00:02:53.581 --> 00:02:54.751 I am without sin. 00:02:55.291 --> 00:02:56.281 I am innocent. 00:02:56.551 --> 00:02:57.601 I have no guilt. 00:02:58.321 --> 00:03:01.861 God is picking a quarrel with me and he considers me his enemy. 00:03:02.461 --> 00:03:06.061 He puts my feet in the stocks and watches my every move. 00:03:06.491 --> 00:03:13.501 But you are wrong, and I will show you why for God is greater than any human being. 00:03:14.341 --> 00:03:16.651 So why are you bringing a charge against him? 00:03:17.341 --> 00:03:20.371 Why say he does not respond to people's complaints? 00:03:20.881 --> 00:03:24.931 For God Speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it. 00:03:25.621 --> 00:03:27.031 He speaks in dreams. 00:03:27.271 --> 00:03:31.201 Envisions of the night when deep sleep falls on people, as they lie 00:03:31.206 --> 00:03:35.941 in their beds, he whispers in their ears and terrifies them with warnings. 00:03:36.511 --> 00:03:38.371 He makes them turn from doing wrong. 00:03:38.881 --> 00:03:40.351 He keeps them from pride. 00:03:40.951 --> 00:03:44.161 He protects them from the grave, from crossing over the river 00:03:44.161 --> 00:03:47.041 of death or God disciplines. 00:03:47.041 --> 00:03:50.731 People with pain on their sick beds, with ceaseless, aching in their 00:03:50.731 --> 00:03:55.231 bones, they lose their appetite for even the most delicious food. 00:03:55.891 --> 00:03:59.761 Their flesh wastes away and their bones stick out. 00:04:00.481 --> 00:04:01.471 They're at death's door. 00:04:02.071 --> 00:04:03.841 The angels of death wait for them. 00:04:05.161 --> 00:04:07.561 But if an angel from Heaven appears. 00:04:08.041 --> 00:04:12.121 A special messenger to intercede for a person and declare that he is upright. 00:04:12.661 --> 00:04:16.051 He will be gracious and say, rescue him from the grave. 00:04:16.381 --> 00:04:21.541 For I have found a ransom for his life, then his body will become as healthy 00:04:21.541 --> 00:04:23.911 as a child's firm and youthful again. 00:04:24.541 --> 00:04:29.371 When he prays to God, he will be accepted and God will receive him with 00:04:29.371 --> 00:04:31.741 joy and restore him to good standing. 00:04:32.401 --> 00:04:33.901 He will declare to his friends. 00:04:34.141 --> 00:04:36.181 I sinned and twisted the truth. 00:04:36.721 --> 00:04:37.861 But it was not worth it. 00:04:38.521 --> 00:04:42.781 God rescued me from the grave and now my life is filled with light. 00:04:44.041 --> 00:04:48.001 Yes, God does these things again and again for people. 00:04:48.541 --> 00:04:52.291 He rescues them from the grave so they may enjoy the light of life. 00:04:53.071 --> 00:04:58.231 Mark this, well Job, listen to me for, I have more to say, but if you have 00:04:58.231 --> 00:05:03.241 anything to say, go ahead, speak for, I am anxious to see you justified, 00:05:04.051 --> 00:05:09.706 but if not, Then listen to me keep silent and I will teach you wisdom. 00:05:11.326 --> 00:05:16.546 Then Elihu said, listen to me, you wise men pay attention. 00:05:16.546 --> 00:05:22.366 You who have knowledge, job said The ear tests, the words that hears just as 00:05:22.366 --> 00:05:24.586 the mouth distinguishes between foods. 00:05:25.336 --> 00:05:27.796 So let us discern for ourselves what is right. 00:05:28.276 --> 00:05:29.886 Let us learn together what is good. 00:05:30.631 --> 00:05:35.821 For job also said, I am innocent, but God has taken away my rights. 00:05:36.331 --> 00:05:39.031 I am innocent, but they call me a liar. 00:05:39.601 --> 00:05:43.261 My suffering is incurable, though I have not sinned. 00:05:44.551 --> 00:05:50.131 Tell me, has there ever been a man like Job with his thirst for irreverent talk? 00:05:50.821 --> 00:05:53.101 He chooses evil people as companions. 00:05:53.431 --> 00:05:55.381 He spends his time with wicked men. 00:05:55.801 --> 00:05:59.431 He has even said, why waste time trying to please God? 00:06:00.736 --> 00:06:03.256 Listen to me, you who have understanding. 00:06:03.946 --> 00:06:06.436 Everyone knows that God doesn't sin. 00:06:07.036 --> 00:06:08.836 The Almighty can do no wrong. 00:06:09.436 --> 00:06:12.076 He repays people according to their deeds. 00:06:12.406 --> 00:06:14.386 He treats people as they deserve. 00:06:15.136 --> 00:06:17.416 Truly God will not do wrong. 00:06:17.896 --> 00:06:20.476 The Almighty will not twist justice. 00:06:21.286 --> 00:06:23.596 Did someone else put the world in his care? 00:06:24.316 --> 00:06:26.356 Who set the whole world in place? 00:06:26.971 --> 00:06:33.181 If God were to take back his spirit and withdraw his breath, all life would cease 00:06:33.811 --> 00:06:35.941 and humanity would turn again to dust. 00:06:37.831 --> 00:06:38.911 Now, listen to me. 00:06:38.941 --> 00:06:42.031 If you are wise, pay attention to what I say. 00:06:42.841 --> 00:06:45.481 Could God govern if he hated justice? 00:06:46.111 --> 00:06:49.381 Are you going to condemn the Almighty judge for? 00:06:49.381 --> 00:06:54.961 He says to kings, you are wicked and to nobles, you are unjust. 00:06:55.816 --> 00:07:00.106 He doesn't care how great a person may be, and he pays no more attention 00:07:00.106 --> 00:07:01.576 to the rich than to the poor. 00:07:02.266 --> 00:07:04.636 He made them all in a moment. 00:07:04.636 --> 00:07:07.996 They die in the middle of the night, they pass away. 00:07:08.446 --> 00:07:10.846 The mighty are removed without human hand. 00:07:12.286 --> 00:07:14.056 For God watches how people live. 00:07:14.626 --> 00:07:16.126 He sees everything they do. 00:07:16.966 --> 00:07:20.326 No darkness is thick enough to hide the wicked from his eyes. 00:07:21.106 --> 00:07:24.466 We don't set the time when we will come before God in judgment. 00:07:25.051 --> 00:07:28.561 He brings the mighty to ruin without asking anyone, and he 00:07:28.561 --> 00:07:30.481 sets up others in their place. 00:07:31.231 --> 00:07:35.761 He knows what they do, and in the night he overturns and destroys them. 00:07:36.571 --> 00:07:41.641 He strikes them down because they are wicked doing it openly for all to see. 00:07:42.361 --> 00:07:44.281 For they turned away from following him. 00:07:45.301 --> 00:07:47.791 They have no respect for any of his ways. 00:07:48.361 --> 00:07:51.571 They cause the poor to cry out, catching God's attention. 00:07:52.291 --> 00:07:54.211 He hears the cries of the needy. 00:07:55.516 --> 00:07:59.416 But if he chooses to remain quiet, who can criticize him? 00:08:00.436 --> 00:08:05.866 When he hides his face, no one can find him, whether an individual or a nation. 00:08:06.676 --> 00:08:10.996 He prevents the godless from ruling, so they cannot be a snare to the people. 00:08:12.316 --> 00:08:17.866 Why don't people say to God, I have sinned, but I will sin no more, or, 00:08:18.196 --> 00:08:20.146 I don't know what evil I have done. 00:08:20.206 --> 00:08:22.276 Tell me if I have done wrong. 00:08:22.276 --> 00:08:23.626 I will stop at once. 00:08:25.051 --> 00:08:30.451 Must God tailor his justice to your demands, but you have rejected him. 00:08:30.931 --> 00:08:32.731 The choice is yours, not mine. 00:08:33.541 --> 00:08:35.821 Go ahead, share your wisdom with us. 00:08:36.361 --> 00:08:40.141 After all, bright people will tell me and wise people will hear me 00:08:40.141 --> 00:08:42.841 say, job speaks out of ignorance. 00:08:43.111 --> 00:08:49.651 His words like insight, job, you deserve the maximum penalty for the wicked way. 00:08:49.656 --> 00:08:53.431 You have talked for, you have added rebellion to your sin. 00:08:53.821 --> 00:08:58.441 You show no respect and you speak many angry words against God. 00:08:59.941 --> 00:09:04.201 Then Elihu said, do you think it is right for you to claim 00:09:04.321 --> 00:09:06.061 I am righteous before God? 00:09:06.811 --> 00:09:09.331 For you, also ask what's in it for me? 00:09:09.781 --> 00:09:12.031 What's the use of living a righteous life? 00:09:13.081 --> 00:09:15.841 I will answer you and all your friends too. 00:09:16.771 --> 00:09:22.411 Look up into the sky and see the clouds high above you If you sin. 00:09:23.086 --> 00:09:24.496 How does that affect God? 00:09:25.396 --> 00:09:29.866 Even if you sin again and again, what effect will it have on him? 00:09:30.856 --> 00:09:34.126 If you are good, is this some great gift to him? 00:09:35.086 --> 00:09:37.366 What could you possibly give him? 00:09:38.146 --> 00:09:38.536 No. 00:09:38.986 --> 00:09:43.096 Your sins affect only people like yourself and your good 00:09:43.096 --> 00:09:45.646 deeds also affect only humans. 00:09:47.116 --> 00:09:49.156 People cry out when they are oppressed. 00:09:49.606 --> 00:09:51.856 They groan beneath the power of the mighty. 00:09:52.531 --> 00:09:56.161 Yet, they don't ask, where is God my creator, the one 00:09:56.161 --> 00:09:57.691 who gives songs in the night? 00:09:58.411 --> 00:10:01.441 Where is the one who makes us smarter than the animals and 00:10:01.441 --> 00:10:03.241 wiser than the birds of the sky? 00:10:04.441 --> 00:10:08.371 And when they cry out, God does not answer because of their pride. 00:10:09.211 --> 00:10:14.071 But it is wrong to say God doesn't listen to say the Almighty isn't concerned. 00:10:14.761 --> 00:10:19.411 You say you can't see him, but he will bring justice if you will only wait. 00:10:20.356 --> 00:10:24.166 You say he does not respond to sinners with anger and is not 00:10:24.166 --> 00:10:28.756 greatly concerned about wickedness, but you are talking nonsense job. 00:10:29.326 --> 00:10:32.866 You have spoken like a fool, a lie. 00:10:32.866 --> 00:10:34.126 Hugh continued speaking. 00:10:34.696 --> 00:10:40.126 Let me go on and I will show you the truth for I have not finished defending God. 00:10:40.876 --> 00:10:45.196 I will present profound arguments for the righteousness of my creator. 00:10:46.066 --> 00:10:47.836 I am telling you nothing but the truth. 00:10:48.286 --> 00:10:50.446 For I am a man of great knowledge. 00:10:51.796 --> 00:10:55.426 God is mighty, but he does not despise anyone. 00:10:56.146 --> 00:10:58.726 He is mighty in both power and understanding. 00:10:59.356 --> 00:11:03.406 He does not let the wicked live, but gives justice to the afflicted. 00:11:04.156 --> 00:11:08.656 He never takes his eyes off the innocent, but he sets them on thrones 00:11:08.656 --> 00:11:11.086 with kings and exalts them forever. 00:11:11.851 --> 00:11:15.511 If they are bound in chains and caught up in a web of trouble, 00:11:15.871 --> 00:11:17.311 he shows them the reason. 00:11:17.881 --> 00:11:19.861 He shows them their sins of pride. 00:11:20.221 --> 00:11:23.851 He gets their attention and commands that they turn from evil. 00:11:24.901 --> 00:11:28.021 If they listen and obey God, they will be blessed with 00:11:28.026 --> 00:11:30.091 prosperity throughout their lives. 00:11:30.601 --> 00:11:35.521 All their years will be pleasant, but if they refuse to listen to him, they 00:11:35.521 --> 00:11:37.201 will cross over the river of death. 00:11:37.681 --> 00:11:39.571 Dying from lack of understanding. 00:11:40.501 --> 00:11:42.541 For the Godless are full of resentment. 00:11:43.141 --> 00:11:47.101 Even when he punishes them, they refuse to cry out to him for help. 00:11:47.731 --> 00:11:52.141 They die when they are young after wasting their lives in immoral living. 00:11:53.041 --> 00:11:58.051 But by means of their suffering, he rescues those who suffer for, he gets 00:11:58.051 --> 00:12:00.091 their attention through adversity. 00:12:01.861 --> 00:12:06.871 God is leading you away from danger Job to a place free from distress. 00:12:07.426 --> 00:12:11.656 He is setting your table with the best food, but you are obsessed with 00:12:11.661 --> 00:12:13.486 whether the godless will be judged. 00:12:14.026 --> 00:12:19.456 Don't worry, judgment and justice will be upheld, but watch out 00:12:19.846 --> 00:12:21.856 or you may be seduced by wealth. 00:12:22.576 --> 00:12:24.766 Don't let yourself be bribed into sin. 00:12:25.486 --> 00:12:29.806 Could all your wealth or all your mighty efforts keep you from distress? 00:12:30.676 --> 00:12:34.996 Do not long for the cover of night, for that is when people will be destroyed. 00:12:35.656 --> 00:12:38.356 Be on guard, turn back from evil. 00:12:38.626 --> 00:12:42.526 For God sent this suffering to keep you from a life of evil. 00:12:43.666 --> 00:12:45.736 Look, God is all powerful. 00:12:46.186 --> 00:12:47.746 Who is a teacher like him? 00:12:48.256 --> 00:12:51.646 No one can tell him what to do or say to him, you have done wrong. 00:12:52.336 --> 00:12:57.016 Instead, glorify his mighty works, singing songs of praise. 00:12:57.676 --> 00:13:00.986 Everyone has seen these things though only from a distance. 00:13:02.461 --> 00:13:05.341 Look, God is greater than we can understand. 00:13:05.671 --> 00:13:07.351 His years cannot be counted. 00:13:07.981 --> 00:13:11.521 He draws up the water vapor and then distills it into rain. 00:13:12.331 --> 00:13:17.221 The rain pours down from the clouds and everyone benefits who can understand 00:13:17.221 --> 00:13:21.061 the spreading of the clouds and the thunder that rolls forth from heaven. 00:13:22.081 --> 00:13:25.531 See how he spreads the lightning around him and how it lights 00:13:25.531 --> 00:13:26.941 up the depths of the sea. 00:13:27.616 --> 00:13:31.246 By these mighty acts, he nourishes the people giving them food. 00:13:31.246 --> 00:13:34.816 In abundance, he fills his hands with lightning bolts 00:13:35.086 --> 00:13:37.126 and hurls each at its target. 00:13:37.906 --> 00:13:39.916 The thunder announces his presence. 00:13:40.276 --> 00:13:45.496 The storm announces his indignant anger, my heart pounds. 00:13:45.496 --> 00:13:48.496 As I think of this, it trembles within me. 00:13:49.336 --> 00:13:53.806 Listen carefully to the thunder of God's voice as it rolls from his mouth. 00:13:54.406 --> 00:13:58.876 It rolls across the heavens and his lightning flashes in every direction. 00:13:59.716 --> 00:14:04.156 Then comes the roaring of the thunder, the tremendous voice of his majesty. 00:14:04.876 --> 00:14:07.246 He does not restrain it when he speaks. 00:14:07.696 --> 00:14:10.276 God's voice is glorious in the thunder. 00:14:10.936 --> 00:14:13.636 We can't even imagine the greatness of his power. 00:14:14.596 --> 00:14:18.976 He directs the snow to fall on the earth and tells the rain to pour down. 00:14:19.636 --> 00:14:23.086 Then everyone stops working so they can watch his power. 00:14:23.971 --> 00:14:26.881 The wild animals take cover and stay inside their dens. 00:14:27.721 --> 00:14:32.431 The stormy wind comes from its chamber and the driving winds bring the cold. 00:14:33.301 --> 00:14:37.291 God's breath sends the ice freezing wide expanses of water. 00:14:37.981 --> 00:14:41.731 He loads the clouds with moisture and they flash with his lightning. 00:14:42.481 --> 00:14:44.701 The clouds churn about at his direction. 00:14:45.181 --> 00:14:47.641 They do whatever he commands throughout the earth. 00:14:48.301 --> 00:14:51.721 He makes these things happen either to punish people or 00:14:51.721 --> 00:14:53.401 to show his unfailing love. 00:14:54.541 --> 00:14:56.071 Pay attention to this job. 00:14:56.641 --> 00:14:59.431 Stop and consider the wonderful miracles of God. 00:15:00.151 --> 00:15:04.051 Do you know how God controls the storm and causes the lightning 00:15:04.051 --> 00:15:05.581 to flash from his clouds? 00:15:06.181 --> 00:15:11.011 Do you understand how he moves the clouds with wonderful perfection and skill? 00:15:12.001 --> 00:15:15.541 When you are sweltering in your clothes and the south wind dies 00:15:15.541 --> 00:15:17.281 down and everything is still. 00:15:17.866 --> 00:15:21.676 He makes the skies reflect the heat like a bronze mirror. 00:15:22.516 --> 00:15:23.266 Can you do that? 00:15:24.766 --> 00:15:28.126 So teach the rest of us what to say to God. 00:15:28.996 --> 00:15:31.486 We are too ignorant to make our own arguments. 00:15:32.296 --> 00:15:35.056 Should God be notified that I want to speak? 00:15:35.806 --> 00:15:38.266 Can people even speak when they are confused? 00:15:39.166 --> 00:15:42.856 We cannot look at the sun for it shines brightly in the sky when 00:15:42.856 --> 00:15:44.386 the wind clears away the clouds. 00:15:45.241 --> 00:15:49.111 So also golden splendor comes from the mountain of God. 00:15:49.741 --> 00:15:52.111 He is clothed in dazzling splendor. 00:15:52.741 --> 00:15:57.751 We cannot imagine the power of the Almighty, but even though he is just 00:15:57.756 --> 00:16:00.481 and righteous, he does not destroy us. 00:16:01.261 --> 00:16:03.631 No wonder people everywhere fear him. 00:16:04.321 --> 00:16:06.801 All who are wise, show him reverence. 00:16:08.791 --> 00:16:11.701 This concludes today's Immer reading experience. 00:16:11.851 --> 00:16:13.051 Thank you for joining us.